1. Since Day 1, the talk around the Pistons has been Stan Van Gundy’s system. How it complements Andre Drummond, how it requires spacing, how ill-fitting Detroit was when he arrived. Well, what is your expectation?
Braden Shackelford: My expectation is for the offense to flow resulting in a lot of points for the Pistons. The Pistons now have floor spacing fours and competent small forwards who can knock down open looks too. That should really help Reggie Jackson and Drummond pick-and-rolls.
Brady Fredericksen: I think the whole idea of this magical SVG system is a tad overrated myself. Not that shooting and spacing and relying on an athletic center it isn’t a smart way to play basketball in 2015, but it’s not like it was when Van Gundy was the only guy playing like that with Orlando in 2009. The Pistons are built to do something specific, and you can tell what it is — I don’t think they’ve had that in years.
Tim Thielke: I don’t know what I expect. Van Gundy has sacrificed talent and flexibility to get a team that fits his system. To me, that is a hugely problematic method. But I’m willing to give him a chance to see what he can do with what the Pistons now have.
Duncan Smith: Van Gundy has quickly built the team in his image. It’s now a team that can go inside and outisde, and they can space the floor much better than they could this time a year ago. I expect Van Gundy will keep an eye open for trades that can bring in perimeter sharpshooters going forward, and along that vein I’m interested in seeing if Reggie Bullock makes the team, considering the fact that three-point shooting is his specialty.
Mike Davidson: I expect the offense to be much improved, at minimum. The players are there for the offense to run as SVG wants it to. How much it will improve depends on Jackson and Drummond continuing to develop chemistry together, and positions 1-4 making shots.
DeMarcus R. Garrett: My expectation is that Detroit will shoot a lot of 3-pointers, like more than all but three, maybe four, teams in the NBA. Similarly to two point shots, not all threes are created equally. It will take time for the Pistons to figure out which of their many threes are good shots and bad shots, but ultimately, they will see a significant increase in the amount of points they scored last season.
Tim Brokke: Between the open practice and several preseason games already being played, the offense looks significantly smoother. The pieces finally make sense. The question is whether the pieces are good enough to make that system good enough to win.
Christopher Crowder: I expect Van Gundy’s system to work the best it has so far in his tenure in Detroit. A system only further implements itself as years go on. His system worked well in Orlando, and this Pistons team is slowly becoming to look more like Van Gundy’s last successful.
Ricky LaBlue: I’m expecting to see something very similar to what Van Gundy’s Magic did when Dwight Howard was the centerpiece. Lots of floor spacing, and getting Drummond the ball down low with plenty of room to work. The Pistons will likely sit near the top of the league in three-point attempts.
Rod Berger: Fans should begin to see the fruits of Tom Gores investment now that the roster has balanced itself out with shooters, slashers and grit on the block and wing.
Next: Who will be the most improved player under Van Gundy this season?